During this next December i am taking a trip to the Davis Mnts. i wanted to buy a set of relativly cheap good sleeping bags. I was hopeing for down but that might be too expensive? My bugget is about $250 each that may not be enough though?
Does anyone know some good bags?

Go to this link http://www.wiggys.com
I bought two of his bags (an Ultralight and a over bag, he calls it FTRSS or something like that). The ultra light (rated at +20 degrees F and costs around 150.00) and can zip into the overbag (144.00 and rated to 35 degrees F). Or you can turn one bag inside out and zip both bags together (I do this with my wife and give her the heavier bag), or you can use them independently. If +20 degrees isn’t enough insulation get the Super light (166.00 an 0 degrees F). You get the picture. Wiggy offers amazing customer service and sells other stuff too.
My wife and I have both lived in the area the weather has a mind of its own. If you stop by the “Railroad Blues” in Alpine tell R.C. Biscuits said hi.
Biscuits

I have the superlight rated @ zero degrees and the overbag in the extralong and narrow configuration. Spend some time reading Wiggy's information. There is a letter in his most recent newsletter from a customer who credits the bags with his survival after a plane crash. If you call the toll free number chances are you will talk to Jerry directely. Tell him Chris sent you.

Go for any of the mountain hardwear universe bags. They are down filled, very warm and expendable. If somebody who is going with you is a significant other you can zip two bags together. I think they have a +5 version for $250 and 0 version for $300. I slept in mine (0) on Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya and was pretty warm. If you really get cold you can always buy a fleece liner. My girl uses one since she is a mammal as opposed to me who is a reptile.

The most important thing besides warm sleeping bag that you have to remember is ground insulation. When I got my bag I took it out for a camping trip in May. I was freezing at night (60 degree weather) becasue I was not insulated from the ground. After I got a therma pad everything changed. You wouldn't believe how much heat you can loose while touching the ground.

Also I was always tempted to try some of the military bags but I have no reason to buy anything alse since my sleeping bag is so good. But I heard a lot of guys speakign very highly of them here.

Matt

Just found this thread on the lightweight backpacking forum. I personally have never used wiggy's gear, but this is pretty controversial. True, those peoplediscredit anything that doesn't weigh under 3 ounces <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Ever have a friend convert to a new religion? Instead of pursuing deeper study and spiritual experience they're all over every friend,relative and coworker converting them. Why? If I buy a new knife, car or bottle of wine from OZ I'll feel a lot better about my investment knowing my peers are doing likewise. It doesn't matter so much if 6 months later the knife is dull, car's a lemon and italian chiantis are the rage. The outdoor gear market is not exempt from hype,politics or unreal expectations. Ever see a cowboy movie? Those guys have this tiny canvas bedroll tied off to the cantle. I've seen bagels with greater diameters. Look at a period photograph of a cowboy roll. Those things were huge and required a second packmule or wagon to haul the things around. But I see equestrians freezing to death in tiny bedrolls "just like John Wayne." Ultralight camping is a philosphy ( see above) and just as fallable in the real world of empirical experience. If you find huge zippers rediculous by all means go with something smaller. If you happen to break an arm and shaking from severe hypothermia the wieght saved while trying to unzip/zip will warm the philosphical heart if not other internal organs. The bottom line is only one,or at best two people can fit in these things with little room left for philosophies and market hype. I can only pass on my own experience with the product and the man who makes them. If I freeze to death in a Wiggy bag thats me and me alone. I CAN'T GET several product reps to even respond to my queries. If my wiggy bag fails I know who will be answering the phone <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Well said. Preference is one thing, scientific fact is another. If some ultralights think the bag stinks because it's heavy, thats their opinion. It depends what you want from a bag.

Thanks Chris, your replys are always so well thought out and humourous <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.